DarwiinRemote is a neat little application that allows you to use a Nintendo Wii Remote (Wiimote) in place of your Apple Remote. I don't own a Nintendo Wii console yet, so I went out last night and purchased a Wiimote to test with Front Row and Keynote. I'm happy to report that it works quite well. The key mappings work as advertised, and you get the added benefit of having a Bluetooth remote. That basically means you can control your Mac mini without being in its line-of-sight. This could also be a nice solution for you PPC-based Mac mini owners out there running Front Row. What more could you ask for?

I have been trying out bluetooth divices with my MacMini as well as with a G5 at the same location (close to our Pioneer Plasma display): connection was lost at a distance of less than 8 ft (Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse). In the meantime I have migrated to Gyration's mouse and keybourd combo which works fine within a range of up to 30ft. I am still doing most of the Front Row / MediaCentral "work" with Apples IR remote.

What are your results with bluetooth devices close to a Plasma display?

Once you get the controls down, you can even use it as a mouse. Though it is not as intuitive and fluent as it could be.

SOCOMRAIDER wrote:

Using it as a mouse is difficult at first. The Wiimote has to be at a specific angle. Then from there you lift or lower the Wiimote to move the cursor up or down. Then you twist (or simply aim left or right) the Wiimote to go left or right. If you bring it back to the specific angle it will no longer move. Definitely takes some getting used to, but works none-the-less.

When this is perfected it'd be pretty cool. Imagine using a mini connected to a tv and just buy yourself a wiimote to use with it and then use apple's on screen keyboard. That'd be awesome for couch web surfing when you don't wanna pickup a keyboard and mouse.

I hope they add some kind of functionality like that to itv as well a more indepth remote with something like i dunno... 12 buttons.

Yes and no. I use it occasionally because its a novelty. But since I have a Wii also, you can't use both at the same time. The Wii takes priority over using it for a Mac remote. The remote is automatically re-synced with Wii._________________

Take a number! I have a feeling that Nintendo legal is going to be busy with all the Wii remotes flying around. God forbid a flying Wii remote kills somebody. Don't you just hate the suing type and lawsuits? It reminds me of one of my favorite jokes.

Take a number! I have a feeling that Nintendo legal is going to be busy with all the Wii remotes flying around. God forbid a flying Wii remote kills somebody.

I think the Wiimote thing is overblown. Plus most of those people are people who just don't pay attention to the warnings. There are warnings before every game is played.

All it takes is some more pressure exerted on holding the controller. Also people need to show some control when playing. Most of those people who have thrown Wiimotes, have done so basically whipping them like bats and actual tennis rackets. All of which is unnecessary._________________